Tube connector

ABSTRACT

A connector insert for coupling a hose to a tube and an assembly using the connector insert is described wherein the connector insert has a first end, a second end and a uniformly tubular body member along a longitudinal axis. The tubular body member further includes a es a flared member extending radially outward and in the direction of the first end to form an annular ridge and the flared member further tapers radially inward toward said first end forming a first annular rim adjacent the first end. The annular rim has a smaller circumference than the circumference of the annular ridge. The tapered portion enhances the ability of the hose to form a bead and also to prevent pull-off.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to coupling means for connectingplastic tubing to the open end of a hose.

[0002] Hose assemblies for transporting various fluids in vehicles,machinery, etc. are known Often it is desirable or necessary toassemble, e.g. plastic tubing to another tube or hose. In order toprovide a suitable connection between a particular plastic tubing andanother tube or hose, it is necessary to use some sort of support deviceand a clamping device. Current coupling devices are not robust enough toadequately support clamping forces necessary to assemble the plastictubing to another tube or hose, nor do such devices provide adequatepull-off forces as required by Original Equipment Manufactures (OEM). Ingeneral, plastic tubing does not have the ability to withstand highclamning forces nor does such plastic tubing provide the stiffnessneeded to maintain integrity of the connection. Accordingly, there is aneed in the industry for a tube connector that overcomes the failings ofthe prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a support connector inserthaving robust characteristics which can be effectively used to form ajoint between a tube such as a plastic tube and a hose, e.g., a rubberhose. More specifically, the connector insert of the present inventionhas a robust tubular shape. wherein at least one end of the connectorhas a flared flange wherein the circumferential rim of the flared flangefurther tapers inwardly to provide an enhanced surface area andconfiguration which allow the connector insert to seat in the tubemember to form a bead which prevents leaking as well as providingimproved pull-off forces.

[0004] In one embodiment, the connector insert of the present inventionis configured to permit the connector insert to be implanted in the tubeprior to the coupling of the hose to the tube. The connector insertcomprising a tubular member having a first end, a second end and auniformly tubular body member along a longitudinal axis wherein thetubular body member is intermediate the first end and the second end.The tubular body member further comprises a flared member extendingradially outward and in the direction of the first end to form anannular ridge, the annular ridge further tapering radially inward towardthe first end forming a first annular rim adjacent the first end.Typically the first annular rim has a smaller circumference than thecircumference of the annular ridge, the configuration of the insertbeing such that, upon being implanted into one end of the hose, the hosemember forms a bead around the first annular rim to secure the connectorinsert therein and the tubular body member extends in a direction towardthe second end to form a second annular rim adjacent the second end. Thecircumference of the tubular body member is essentially equal to thecircumference of said second annular rim.

[0005] In another embodiment, An assembly of the present inventioncomprises a hose having a uniform inner diameter extending apredetermined distance from at least one end of the hose; a tube havingan outer diameter equal to or less than the inner diameter of said hose,the outer diameter extending a predetermined distance from one end ofthe tube; and a connector insert implanted into one end of said tube forcoupling the hose to the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a side view of a hose coupled to a tube using theconnector insert of the present invention shown in cross-section withclamping means not applied to the hose;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembly of FIG. 1with the clamping means applied;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector insert of the presentinvention; and

[0009]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector insert ofFIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a hose assembly 10 isshown in FIG. 1. The hose assembly 10 includes a hose 12, preferably arubber hose having an outer surface 14 and an inner surface 16. The hoseassembly 10 also includes a tube 18 having an outer surface 20 and aninner surface 22. The outer surface 20 of the tube 18 has acircumference which is substantially equal to or slightly smaller thanthe circumference of the inner surface 16 of hose 12 so that an end 17of the tube 18 can be inserted a desired predetermined distance into anopen end 19 of hose 12.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hose connector insert 24 having anelongated tubular body 26 exhibits a flared portion 28 at one end of thetubular body 26 forming a circumferential rim 29. The circumferentialrim 29 further tapers forwardly and downwardly toward the end 17 of theinsert 24 to form a circumferential opening 21 defining the end 17 ofthe insert 24. This end 17 which is approximately of the samecircumference of the tubular body 26, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, isinserted into an end of the tube 18 through opening 30, such that thehose connector insert 24 is disposed entirely inside the tube 18 withthe tapered end of the hose connector insert 24 being adjacent toopening 30 of tube 18 where the tube forms a bead 32 around thecircumferential opening 21 of the hose connector. The flared end 28,which is flared to provide a 360° circumferential flange seats in thebead 32, thus more or less permanently securing the hose connectorinsert 24 in the tube 18. The hose connector insert 24 providesnecessary support to allow tube 18 to be coupled to hose 12 usingclamping means 34 such as a screw clamp, spring clamp, and the like. Theflanged end 28 of the hose connector insert 24 also cooperates with bead32 to enhance pull-off performance.

[0012] The hose useful in the present invention is constructed of any ofthe materials useful in the manufacture of hoses employed intransporting fluids, vapors and gases typically used in thetransportation and heavy equipment industries, e.g., automobiles,trucks, buses, rains, planes, ships, earth movers, etc. Depending on thespecific use of the assembly, the hose can be constructed of anypolymeric material generally used for the intended use. Such materialsinclude natural and synthetic rubbers. Examples of the synthetic rubberused herein include homopolymers of conjugated dines such as isoprene,butadiene, and chloroprene, for example, polyisoprene rubber,polybutadiene rubber, and polychoroprene rubber; copolymers of theconjugated dienes with vinyl compounds such as styrene acrylonitrile,vinylpyridine, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, alkyl acrylates, andalkyl methacrylates, styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber,vinyl-pyridine-butadiene-styrene copolymer rubber,acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, acrylic acid-butadienecopolymer rubber, methacrylic acid-butadiene copolymer rubber, methylacrylate-butadiene copolymer rubber, and methyl methacrylate-butadienecopolymer rubber; copolymers of olefins such as ethylene, propylene andisobutylene with diene compounds, for example, isobutylene-isoprenecopolymer rubber; copolymers of olefins with nonconjugated dienes(EPDM), for example, ethylene-propylene-cyclopentadiene terpolymers.ethylene-propylene-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene terpolymers, andethylene-propylene-1, 4-hexadiene hexadiene terpolymers; polyalkenamersobtained by ring opening polymerization of cycloolefins, for example,polypentenamer; rubbers obtained by ring opening polymerization ofoxysilane rings, for example, sulfurvulcanizable polyepichlorohydrinrubber; and polypreoylene oxide rubber. Halogenated products of theforegoing rubbers are also employable, for example, chlorinatedisobutylene-isoprene copolymer rubber and brominatedisobutylene-isoprene copolymer rubber. Also included are homopolymers,copolymers and terpolymers of hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene,and vinylidene fluoride, and blends thereof. Ring opened polymers ofnorbornene may be used, Further useful are rubber blends, for example,blends of the foregoing rubbers with saturated elastormers such asepichlorohydrin rubber, hydrogenated, nitrite rubber, polypropyleneoxide rubber, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene. The thickness of thehose which may include one or more layers is consistent with those hosescommonly used in similar applications.

[0013] The tube used in the present assembly is a molded or extrudedpolymeric material which can withstand high temperatures and pressures,is not affected by an solvent characteristics associated with the fluidbeing transported through the tube and which has sufficient initialelasticity to deform slightly in order to accommodate the insertion ofthe tube connector insert. The thickness of the tube which may containone or more layers should be sufficient provide the required strengthand pull-off characteristics while not being so thick as to reduce theeffects of the hose connector insert. Typically, the tube material isselected depending on the intended application of the assembly.Preferably, the tube is a synthetic resin. Examples of the useful resininclude polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene polybutene-1,polyallylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate,polyoxybenzolyl, etc.; nylons such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11, nylon12, nylon 4, nylon 6/66, nylon 6/10, nylon 6/12, etc.: polyamides suchas aromatic polyamides; polyethers such as polyacetal, polyphenyleneoxide, polyether ether ketone, polyphenylene sulfide, etc.; polysulfonessuch as polyether sulfone, etc.; polyimides such as polyether imides,polyamide imides, polybismaleimides, etc,; polycarbonate: fluoro resinssuch as polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoridepolytrifluoromonochloroethylene, etc.; various (opolymers such asethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, hexafluoropropylenetetrafluoroethylene copolymers, and perfluoroalkoxytetrafluoroethylenecopolymers: and thermoplastic urethane, polyvinyl chloride,polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride copolymers,crosslinked vinyl chloride resins, silicone resins, polyurethanes, andthe like. These resins may be used alone or as a blend of two or more ofthe foregoing resins Also employable are a blend of such a resin withanother polyolefin and a blend of such a resin with an elastomer such asrubber.

[0014] Also useful are composite plastic materials comprising any of theforegoing resins and a reinforcement in the form of highly stiffinorganic fibers such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, boron fibers,silicon carbide and organic fibers such as Kevlar, an aromaticpolyamide. Blends of any of the foregoing resins with carbon black,silica, calcium carbonate, clay, antioxidants or the like may also beused.

[0015] The tube connector inside can be manufactured from any suitablematerial which would withstand the parameters to which it is subjected.Furthermore, the material, when formed into the insert, should havesufficient strength and a robust characteristic to withstand theclamping forces used to assemble the plastic tubing to the hose. Inaddition to the robust requirement, the insert should prevent or provideadequate pull-off force.

[0016] The tube connector insert of the present invention should be of asize, i.e., length, body diameter and flared/tapered end diameter whichrequires effort to implant the insert into the tube wherein the tubeexpands due to the pressure exerted by forcing the insert into theinside surface of the tube and the end of the tube relaxes to form abead on the end of the tube which prevents the insert from becomingfree. The length and diameter of the insert is not critical and isdetermined by the tube into which the insert is to be set. Thecircumference of the rim of the flared/tapered end should be sufficientto form an adequate bead while reducing pull-off. Accordingly, theflared member extends radially outward from the tubular member to apredetermined maximum circumference. Preferably, the height of theflared portion with respect to the outer diameter of the tube is about0.010 to 0.070 inches. In the most preferred aspect of the invention,the tube connector insert is manufactured from a metal such as steel.However, it can be manufactured from a synthetic resin such as athermoplastic material provided that the resin has sufficient strengthto withstand the compression forces of the clamp.

[0017] In addition to the flared/tapered end of the tube connectorinsert, the body o the insert may include one or more annular ridgeswhich would enhance the pull-off characteristics of the tube.

[0018] A clamping means such as screw clamp or a spring clamp may beincluded on the outer surface of the hose to prevent the tube fromdetaching from the hose.

[0019] Although the invention has been described with respect topreferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to those embodiments, and that variations can be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector insert for coupling a hose to a tube, wherein said connector insert is configured to permit said connector insert to be implanted in said tube prior to said coupling said connector insert comprising a tubular member having a first end, a second end and a uniformly tubular body member along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body member being intermediate said first end and said second end, wherein said tubular body member further comprises a flared member extending radially outward and in the direction of said first end to form an annular ridge, said flared member further tapering radially inward toward said first end forming a first annular rim adjacent said first end, said first annular rim having a smaller circumference than the circumference of said annular ridge, the configuration of said insert being such that, upon being implanted into one end of said hose, said hose forms a bead around said first annular rim to secure said connector insert therein and, wherein said tubular body member extends in a direction toward said second end to form a second annular rim adjacent said second end, the circumference of said tubular body member being essentially equal to the circumference of said second annular rim.
 2. The connector insert of claim 1 wherein said flared member extends radially outward from said tubular member to a predetermined maximum circumference. said flared member further tapering radially inward from said predetermined maximum circumference to form said first annular rim having a circumference less than the circumference of said predetermined maximum circumference.
 3. The connector insert of claim 1 wherein said flared member extends outwardly about 0.010 to 0.070 inches from said tubular member.
 4. The connector of claim 1 wherein said insert is manufactured from metal or a synthetic resin.
 5. The connector of claim 4 wherein said insert is manufactured from metal.
 6. The connector of claim 5 wherein sad metal is steel.
 7. The connector of claim 1 wherein said connector insert is permanently implanted in said tube.
 8. The connector insert of claim 1 wherein said hose is constructed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, halogenated polymers, copolymers of olefins with diene rubber, copolymers of olefins with non-conjugated dienes and blends thereof.
 9. The connector insert of claim 1 wherein said tube is a molded or extruded polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polysulfones, polycarbonates, fluoro polymers, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyalkyleneterephthalates, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The connector of claim 1 further includes a reinforcement material selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, boron fibers, silicon carbide and organic fibers.
 11. The connector of claim 10 further including carbon black, silica, calcium. carbonate, clay, and antioxidants.
 12. A connector insert for coupling a hose to a tube, said hose being constructed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, halogenated polymers, copolymers of olefins with diene rubber, copolymers of olefins with non-conjugated dienes, and blends thereof, and said tube is a molded or extruded polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polysulfones, polycarbonates, fluoro polymers, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyalkyleneterephthalates, and mixtures thereof wherein said connector insert is configured to permit said connector insert to be implanted in said tube prior to said coupling, said connector insert comprising a tubular member having a first end, a second end and a uniformly tubular body member along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body member being intermediate said first end and said second end, wherein salo tubular body member flares radially outward in the direction of said first end to form an annular ridge, said annular ridge further tapering radially inward to form a first annular rim adjacent said first end, said first annular rim having a smaller circumference than the circumference of said annular ridge, the configuration of said insert being such that, upon being implanted into one end of said tube, said tube forms a bead around said first annular rim to permanently secure said connector insert therein and wherein said tubular body member extends in a direction toward said second end to form a second annular rim adjacent said second end, the circumference of said tubular body member being essentially equal to the circumference of said second annular rim.
 13. An assembly comprising: a hose having a uniform inner diameter extending a predetermined distance from at least one end of said hose; a tube having an outer diameter equal to or less than said inner diameter of said hose, said outer diameter extending a predetermined distance from one end of said tube; and a connector insert implanted into said one end of said tube for coupling said hose to said tube, said connector insert comprising a tubular member having a first end, a second end and a uniformly tubular body member along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body member being intermediate said first end and said second end, wherein said tubular body member flares radially outward in the direction of said first end to form an annular ridge, said annular ridge further tapering radially inward toward said first end forming a first annular rim adjacent said first end, said first annular rim having a smaller circumference than the circumference of said annular ridge, the configuration of said connector insert being such that, upon being, implanted into one end of said tube, said tube forms a bead around said annular rim to secure said connector insert therein and, wherein said tubular body member extends in a direction toward said second end to form a second annular rim adjacent said second end, the circumference of said tubular body member being essentially equal to the circumference of said second annular rim.
 14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said flared member extends radially outward from said tubular member to a predetermined maximum circumference, said annular ridge further tapering radially inward from said predetermined maximum circumference to form said first annular rim having a circumference less that the circumference of said maximum circumference.
 15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said flared member extends outwardly about 0.010 to 0.070 inches from said tubular member.
 16. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said insert is manufactured from a metal or synthetic resin.
 17. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said insert is manufactured from metal.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said metal is steel.
 19. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said connector insert is permanently implanted in said tube.
 20. The assembly of claim 13 further including clamping means on the outer surface of said hose wherein, upon activating said clamping means, said tube is prevented from detaching from said hose.
 21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said clamping means is a screw clamp or a spring clamp.
 22. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said hose is constructed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, halogenated polymers, copolymers of olefins with diene rubber, copolymers of olefins with non-conjugated dienes, and blends thereof.
 23. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said tube is a molded or extruded polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides. polysulfones, polycarbonates, fluoro polymers, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyalkyleneterephthalates, and mixtures thereof.
 24. The assembly of claim 13 further includes a reinforcement material selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, boron fibers, silicon carbide and organic fibers.
 25. The assembly of claim 13 further including carbon black, silica, calcium carbonate, lay, and antioxidants.
 26. An assembly comprising: a hose having a uniform inner diameter extending a predetermined distance from at least one end of said hose, wherein said hose is constructed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, halogenated polymers, copolymers of diene rubber with vinyl compounds, copolymers of diene rubber with olefins, and blends thereof; a tube having an outer diameter equal to or less than said inner diameter of said hose, said outer diameter extending a predetermined distance from one end of said tube, wherein said hose is a molded or extruded polymeric material selected from the group consisting of natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, halogenated polymers, copolymers of diene rubber with vinyl compounds, copolymers of diene rubber with olefins, and blends thereof; and a connector insert implanted into said one end of said tube for coupling said hose to said tube; said connector insert comprising a tubular member having a first end, a second end and a uniformly tubular body member along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body member being intermediate said first end and said second end, wherein said tubular body member flares radially outward from said longitudinal axis in the direction of said first end to form an annular ridge, said annular ridge further tapering radially inward to form a first annular rim adjacent said first end, said first annular rim having a smaller circumference than said annular ridge, the configuration of said insert being such that, upon being implanted into one end of said tube, said tube forms a bead around said first annular rim to permanently secure said connector insert therein and wherein said tubular body member extends in a direction toward said second end to form a second annular rim adjacent said second end, the circumference of said tubular body member being essentially equal to the circumference of said second annular rim. 